Making the Dream Manageable: A Guide to Funding Your Lodge

There is a certain magic in the moment you find ‘the one’—that perfect lodge with the sprawling deck, the view you’ve always wanted, and the promise of endless weekends away. At Leisure Resorts, we love helping families find their “happy place”. However, we also know that the practical side of purchasing a holiday home—the funding—is just as important as the location and the layout.

In this guide, we’ll explore how finance can help you leverage your purchase, making that lifestyle accessible today while spreading the cost into manageable monthly payments.

A Lifestyle Investment

Before looking at the figures, it is vital to establish that buying a lodge should be seen as a lifestyle investment, rather than a financial one intended to yield a significant capital return.

Unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar homes, lodges are classed as leisure assets. This means they tend to depreciate over time, much like a car or a motorhome. At Leisure Resorts, we believe in total transparency; we want our owners to enjoy the invaluable returns of family time and relaxation, while being fully aware of the financial nature of the asset. For a deeper dive into this topic, we recommend reading our Ownership Hub article: Everything you need to know about depreciation.

An Important Note

We are lodge holiday home experts, not financial advisors. We strongly advise seeking professional financial advice before making any significant commitment.

Leisure Resorts Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. We can introduce you to reputable, specialist lenders who may be able to offer you funding for your holiday home. This option could allow you to spread the cost of your purchase over a set term with regular monthly repayments, but it is a decision that should be made after careful consideration of your personal circumstances.

Why Consider Financing Your Holiday Home?

For many of our existing owners, the idea of “leveraging” a purchase simply means using finance to keep your savings intact for a rainy day, or perhaps to opt for a higher-spec lodge than a cash budget might currently allow. By using finance, you can enjoy your lodge now rather than waiting years to save the full amount.

We work closely with two primary funders to provide our owners with choice and flexibility:

Santander Consumer Finance

As the UK’s leading independent finance company, Santander Consumer Finance brings the security and scale of a global banking giant directly to the lodge and holiday home market.

• APR:9%
• Term:Flexible options up to 120 months (10 years)
• Deposit:A minimum of10% required

Why Santander? They offer a seamless digital journey, including state-of-the-art quotation systems that provide clarity on your monthly outgoings in minutes. Their focus on the motor and leisure industry makes them a specialist partner rather than just a general high-street lender.

DF Capital: The ‘DFRNT’ Product

DF Capital is an award-winning, UK-based specialist bank. Having established themselves as a leader in business funding, they have now expanded into the consumer market. Their specialist DFRNT product is available through a select number of premier resort/park operators, including Leisure Resorts.

• Rate:From 7.9% APR.
• Term:Flexible options up to 120 months (10 years).
• Deposit:A minimum of10% required
• The ‘DFRNT’ Difference:
  • Personalised rates:Tailored specifically to your circumstances.
  • Clear, upfront pricing:No hidden surprises.
  • Know what you can borrow:Soft search functionality before a hard credit check.
  • Speed:A fast, intuitive, quick-quote tool to get you moving.

Key Benefits of Our Funding Partners

Choosing to fund your lodge through our specialist partners offers several distinct advantages designed around the unique needs of lodge holiday home ownership.

Most notably, these partnerships provide accessible lending with significant scope; for example, DF Capital can often secure funding for up to £200,000 (subject to status and criteria). To ensure your monthly outgoings remain manageable and sit comfortably within your budget, both Santander and DF Capital offer extended repayment periods of up to 120 months (10 years). While a deposit is required by both lenders—a minimum of 10% of the purchase price—the process is designed with transparency and responsibility at its core.

Every application is subject to status and acceptance, giving you the peace of mind that any finance arrangement is sustainable and tailored to your specific financial circumstances.

One of the most significant advantages of our partnership with DF Capital is its innovative approach to credit transparency. Unlike traditional funding methods that require a formal application to see your rates, DF Capital offers a Soft Search eligibility check.

• Zero Impact on Your Credit Score:This check has ZERO impact on your credit score, regardless of how many times it is run. It is a discreet way to explore your options without leaving a “footprint” that other lenders can see.
• Instant Financial Clarity:By simply inputting a few personal details—such as your name, address, date of birth, and gross annual income—you receive an immediate indication of your borrowing strength.
• Risk-Free Exploration:Because the search is only visible to you and DF Capital, new and existing lodge owners can examine funding options with minimal to no risk. You get a clear picture of your financial standing and the likelihood of acceptance before ever committing to a full application or a “hard search.”

This approach allows you to plan your perfect lodge purchase with total confidence, knowing exactly where you stand from the very beginning.

Comparing Your Options

While many of our owners choose the convenience of our on-site finance partners, it’s worth comparing this against other ways our owners have funded their lodge purchase:

Personal Loans

You might consider a personal loan from a high street bank. According to data from MoneySavingExpert, personal loan rates can be very competitive. However, banks often have a maximum lending limit (typically £25,000–£50,000) and shorter repayment terms (usually up to 5 or 7 years).

For a lodge purchase, these limits may not cover the full price of a lodge (after the deposit), or may result in much higher monthly repayments than specialist 10-year finance offered through partners such as Santander & DF Capital.

Remortgaging

Some owners choose to release equity from their main residence.

• Pros:Often provides access to large sums, possibly at the lowest interest rates available.
• Cons:You are securing the debt against your home. This can be a lengthy process and often involves high extra costs, including lender arrangement fees, valuation fees, and legal/conveyancing charges. You should also check for Early Repayment Charges (ERCs) from your current lender.

Equity Release

Designed specifically for homeowners aged 55 and over, equity release (most commonly a Lifetime Mortgage) allows you to unlock a portion of the value tied up in your home as a tax-free lump sum.

• Pros:The most significant advantage is that there are typically no monthly repayments required; the loan and interest are usually paid back from the sale of your home when you pass away or move into long-term care.
• Cons:Because interest “compounds” (you pay interest on the interest), the amount you owe grows very quickly over time. This significantly reduces the value of your estate and the inheritance you leave behind. Due to the long-term nature of this commitment, mandatory professional financial and legal advice is required before you can proceed.

Again, it is important to note that Leisure Resorts are experts in lodge holiday homes, not financial advisors. We strongly advise seeking professional financial advice before making any of the commitments detailed above.

Making an Informed Choice

If you are looking to own a lodge, whether with Leisure Resorts or another operator, finance can be a powerful tool to achieve your goal. However, it is a significant commitment that should be fully considered and used wisely. Our team at Leisure Resorts is here to help you explore your options and introduce you to reputable lenders and products, including those from Santander and DF Capital, that could help you achieve your ownership goals.

It is important to remember that while our team members are experts in lodge holiday homes and the leisure lifestyle, they are not financial experts. Because every individual’s financial situation is unique, we strongly advise you to seek professional financial advice before making any significant commitment. By balancing the advantages of manageable monthly payments with a clear understanding of the long-term commitment involved, you can ensure that your move into lodge ownership is the right one for you and your family.

Important Financial Information: Leisure Resorts Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number (FRN) is 775107. This information can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the FCA’s website https://register.fca.org.uk or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768. Leisure Resorts Limited is a credit broker, not a lender.